VAUXHALL MOTORS 1 TRAFFORD 2

Trafford ended their six game winless run with a magnificent 2-1 victory at Vauxhall Motors on Saturday to move four points clear of the NPL West Division relegation zone.
Despite the strong wind and uneven playing surface, Trafford were on top from the start with Niall Cummins just failing to connect cleanly with an Ally Brown cross in the 7th minute.
Tom Beckett then squandered two glorious chances as the visitors, despite losing Matty Morgan to a hamstring injury, poured forward in search of goals.
In the 32nd minute Trafford were finally rewarded for their superiority when left back Damola Sotona ventured into the Vauxhall penalty and was floored by Joe Brandon. Sotona picked himself up and coolly dispatched the resultant spot kick past Jack Atkinson to make it 1-0.
Four minutes later a superb low cross by substitute Rob Worrall freed Tom Beckett once more in front of goal but Beckett dithered for too long and Vauxhall scrambled the ball clear.
The pattern of play continued at the commencement of the second half with Trafford in total control, Rob Worrall cracking a 25 yard drive past the upright and Niall Cummins seeing his goal-bound header cleared off the line following a Jerome Wright cross.
The hosts made a double substitution in the 57th minute and for the first time in the game enjoyed some possession, Ben Holmes driving wide from the edge of the penalty area and then Toby Jones flighting a long and high free kick that flew into the Trafford goal but was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Sam Booth.
Trafford reasserted their authority and dominated once again with Niall Cummins going close in the 64th minute and substitute Kanye Nisbett making a great run from just inside his own half but shooting weakly at Atkinson.
In the 80th minute Trafford were stunned when Vauxhall snatched an undeserved equaliser, veteran striker Kevin Ellison heading a long diagonal pass across the face of the Trafford goal allowing Jay Harvey a simple tap in at the far post.
Despite this setback Trafford continued to force the pace and wasted another great chance in the 84th minute when Rob Worrall released Chris Rowney who shot weakly at Jack Atkinson from just eight yards.
Three minutes later Rowney made amends for that miss when he received the ball on the left of the Vauxhall goal and passed inside for Niall Cummins to prod home from close range and put Trafford 2-1 ahead.
The final whistle arrived to signal a wonderful victory for Karl Marginson’s side and a just reward for a superb all-round performance. However, special mention must be made for an outstanding performance in midfield by skipper Harry Norris, a brilliant display at left back by Damola Sotona, Niall Cummins leading the front line with great skill and intelligence, and the contribution made by the magnificent travelling supporters.
With just three games remaining Trafford are now four points ahead of next-to-bottom Hednesford Town but face another daunting task on Saturday when they host promotion chasing Witton Albion at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3 p.m.